Bespoke Booze: 8 Top Restaurant Private Label Wines and Spirits

There are one-of-a-kind dining experiences, and now there are one-of-a-kind drinking experiences, thanks to a new wave of restaurant private label wines and spirits. Eight eateries around the U.S. have boozy bragging rights for their exclusive custom-made sips. Customers can brag, too, because these special bottles typically afford you higher-quality wine and liquor at a lower price. Chin chin!

Peli Peli, Houston, Texas
This South African restaurant in Houston serves its own private label wine from the Stellakaya Winery in South Africa’s Stellenbosch region. The varietals are Chardonnay, a Bourdeaux-style blend, Cabernet, and Sangiovese. The restaurant has one of the largest collections of South African wine in Texas. “The private label gives them some comfort in trying out an unfamiliar wine because they trust that our private labels are some of the best that we have,” says co-owner Thomas Nguyen. Make a reservation at Peli Peli.

Carmine’s, New York, New York
Think Sunday afternoon at nonna’s house and you know what to expect at Carmine’s — enormous family-style platter meals of traditional cuisine and, of course, vino aplenty! The fun-loving restaurant brand features several private label wines that are made exclusively for Carmine’s, including Trebbiano and Montepulciano, both of which are made at Casal Bordino Winery in Abbruzzo, Italy. The wine is served in all six Carmine’s restaurant locations. Cent’anni! Make a reservation at Carmine’s.

Omni Mount Washington Resort, Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Sip the new exclusive bourbon blend Mount Washington Woodford Reserve II only available at the resort, which partnered with Woodford Reserve Distillery to create this blend that features subtle tones of brown sugar, maple, and vanilla — a smooth sipping bourbon for chilly winter days and nights. Order it in a signature cocktail or, better yet, over two ice cubes — and a mix of good convo. Make a reservation at Omni Mount Washington Resort.

Soby’s, Greenville, South Carolina
Celebrated for its “new South cuisine,” Soby’s offers a private label wine — The BellaLexis Cabernet Sauvignon — that is a sweet nod to owner Carl Sobocinski’s daughters and is a blend of select Cabernet grapes from several California vineyards. The award-winning wine is crafted by Egelhoff Wines and is on its second vintage. Make a reservation at Soby’s.

The Signature Room at the 95th, Chicago, Illinois
Located atop the John Hancock Tower, the restaurant debuted a signature house wine recently dubbed The Signature Room at the 95th Sparkling Brut, a sparkling wine from the Lodi region of California. The sip is light with tropical aromas and pear and apple notes. Bonus: A portion of all proceeds goes to the non-profit organization The Roman Family Foundation, in memory of Susan Roman who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2012. Make a reservation at The Signature Room at the 95th.

Maya Beaver Creek, Avon, Colorado
The Maya Tequila was made in 2015 by Casa Herradura Distillery in Mexico for this Mexican restaurant tucked inside The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain. Aged in American Oak barrels “to smooth out the flavors,” the tequila features hints of agave, caramel, and vanilla, it’s a perfect tequila to be sipped on the rocks with a splash of grapefruit. Suave!Maya Beaver Creek.

Nobu Miami, Miami Beach, Florida
This perennially hip restaurant and lounge in the Eden Roc Hotel pours its own in-house sake label called Hokusetsu. This specific blend of sake was first purveyed in rural Japan by the Hazu Family in 1871, and it rose to acclaim when actor Robert De Niro discovered the drink. (De Niro loved the sake so much he became biz partners with Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, aka Nobu.) Make a reservation at Nobu Miami.

Comments

Nothing wrong with the ubiquitous Roy’s (Darden owned) Private Labels from Central Coast to northern California, all very well done. Now, beginning to re-invent himself back home in Hawaii with Eating House 1849 and it’s current 3 locations. Been a fan and guest since the ’80’s and 385 North.

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Caroline Potter is the Chief Dining Officer for OpenTable, Inc. She’s a dining trend-spotter and an OpenTable VIP, who dines out more than she eats in and has accrued more than 10,000 Dining Rewards points. Caroline started working in restaurants as a teen and she's since tackled every front-of-the-house job, from bartender and hostess to runner and server. She trained as a chef at Manhattan’s prestigious French Culinary Institute, cooking at L’Ecole. In addition to her role at OpenTable, she has written about food from farm to table for New York City’s famed Greenmarket and Edible Brooklyn and Edible East End magazines. Caroline is also a Certified Master Gardener.